O

Rating:
Summary: "O" is eye-opening and mind-blowing.
Review: Never having seen or read William Shakespeare's play "Othello," I was unsure what to expect from "O," a film that begins somewhat slowly, and then kicks into a higher gear as the plot thickens. This modern update of the classic play pays a great tribute to the work of Shakespeare, while also featuring some very well-wrought performances and a third act that is disturbing and affecting at the same time.

Taking place in Charleston, South Carolina, at the high-class Palmetto Grove prep school, the film begins with a basketball game as Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), brings the team to yet another victory, while the wildly jealous Hugo (Josh Hartnett) looks on from the sidelines. Odin's fame among his teammates and fellow students, not to mention his stable relationship with Desi Brable (Julia Stiles), the daughter of the school's headmaster, enrages Hugo, who keeps his cool and concocts a plan of earning Odin's fame for himself.

At this point, the actors have proved themselves very worthy of the film's many complex emotions. Phifer is also able to convince us of Odin's inner strength and sense of devotion to Desi, and Stiles mirrors these attributes in her character. The two share a warm and inviting chemistry seen little in films of a teenage nature; this is due in large part to the time the movie devotes to the developing of their relationship. This drawn-out approach may seem a bit tedious, but it serves to better the film by enhancing our connection with these two characters.

It is Josh Hartnett, however, who steals most of the show as Hugo, instilling in him a subtle sense of deception that can be quite chilling. Hartnett handles the material just as it needs to be, in a calm, laid-back fashion. Hugo is the type of person who steps on those around him to get where he wants to be, and for this to work, he must show no emotion over the actions he takes; Hartnett captures this trait beautifully.

As Hugo's jealousy grows, so do his evil plans. He involves many others in his quest for revenge; when fellow teammate Michael is temporarily kicked off the team, Hugo offers a glimmer of hope by suggesting that he get Desi to convince Odin to suggest to the coach that he be reinstated. Hugo then plays on Odin's doubts, filling him with suggestions that Desi may be sharing more than just friendship with Michael.

This begins an increasingly fascinating descent into untruths, deceit, and evil, as each character becomes involved in a final plot twist that will decide each of their fates. This, accompanied by the slowly progressing beginning and middle, make this one of the best Shakespeare reworkings I've seen to date. Everything about the film rings true to his work, right down to the dialogue, which, even in its modern state, evokes the tones and emotions that his original writings also do.

That final act is what almost kept the film from reaching the silver screen. Filmed before the Columbine High School disaster, the film was shelved for fear that it would create a stir after that most brutal act. Seeing it now makes it that much more effective; it takes teenage issues, like jealousy, loyalty, betrayal, trust, and love, and casts them into a light that no other film would dare touch. The violence that permeates the film's ending is gratuitous, yes, but it also serves as a warning sign of just how out of control our society can be.

"O" can be considered an unconventional teenage film, due to its daring approach, and its success in carrying out that approach in a convincing manner. Its lead actors are able to sell us on the characters they play, while the story itself stays in touch with the many messages embodied in all of Shakespeare's works. At first, I found the film somewhat tiresome; upon further thought, it gains luster.

Rating:
Summary: Everything comes full circle
Review: An amazing movie to which I would reccomend to anyone, well
except to the very young.. b/c i mean it does contain some violence and well stuff not for younger viewers. But the dramatic element in this film was fantastic, I loved the twisting story and surprising confrontations. I loved the movie, I loved the actors, I loved the acting... i loved everything Go see it, b/c i want to see it again. This has the romance, the tragedy and the drama. A very well made and just good movie.

Rating:
Summary: O My
Review: Not a bad update of Shakespeare's classic work of jealousy and deceit. The setting has been modernized from the Venetian army to the world of basketball at a North Carolina prep school. When Hugo (Iago) becomes jealous of the accomplishments of Odin (Othello) he devises a trap to bring him down by having his girlfriend, Desi (Desdemona) break up with him. Hugo weaves an all-too-intricate plan that becomes increasingly complicated as time passes and stages of the scheme do no progress accordingly. As this is of course a tragedy, the lives of everyone involved is either ended or horribly altered.

The acting is superb on the parts of Julia Stiles (Desi), Mekhi Phifer (Odin) and Josh Hartnett (Iago). An appearance of Martin Sheen as the basketball coach and father of Hugo was pleasantly surprising. The experience of this seasoned actor was evident in this production that was otherwise lacking in acting talent. Sadly, the rest of the cast left something to be desired. Even with the surprise appearance of Rain Phoenix, the younger sister of River, the supporting cast simply did not pull their weight.

Why 4 Stars?: All things considered, this film is one of the few that is worth seeing in the theatre, though I would recommend a discount matinee as the full-price ticket is a little unwarranted. The updated setting works well to have something tying these characters together (something Shakespeare was missing). While the main cast turned out adequate performances their supporting cast needed some more work.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Film, a GREAT Adaptation...but that ending....
Review: Like the reviews say, this is a modernized update of Shakespeare's Othello. If you never read Othello in lit class or on your own, you'll probably like to know that it was one of Shakespeare's more popular tragedies. In other words, if you're into happy-endings, you WON'T find one here.

As far as updates go, this one is actually VERY true to Shakespeare's original (character names, plot lines, plot devices, etc) as opposed to comparable films (like Romeo and Juliet with Titanic boy several years back...). Points to the producers for staying true to the original.

Basically, the overall story is about a jealous, psychotic plot of mind games. Bitter about being passed over for an MVP award and being overshadowed by the team's Black MVP Odin (Mekhi Phifer), White basketball player Hugo (who is also the coach's son, played by Josh Hartnett), sets in motion a sinister plot of mind games to bring down Odin using friends and lover, Desi (Julia "Ten Things I Hate About You", "Save the Last Dance" Stiles) as pawns. In all, the story is pretty decent, although the actions of Hugo can be kindly labeled as "disturbing."

Beautifully filmed, with a solid hip-hop, basketball, prep-school theme and with a semi-solid story (although some of the plot is a little non-sensical, all this over an MVP award and being upstaged???) the good points about the movie end here. It's the politically incorrect, highly disturbing ending which really mars this film. Clearly not for "impressionable" kids, this movie does feature prominently the sick mind games of Hugo's character, drug use, an intense sex scene (which is cool with me...) guns and TONS of graphic violence at the end. The films completely tragic ending will leave most with a REALLY bad taste in their mouths. Despite it's delayed release (completed in 1998, the release was IN FACT delayed because of the school shootings of recent years) it is amazing in the wake of Columbine and other school shootings that this film EVER saw the light of day.

It's actually a pretty powerful film, in fact a true piece of art for filmography. The images at the end will just leave you shocked (like a good tragedy should). However, if you're like myself, you'll more than likely will NOT like this film as, I repeat, the ending leaves a REALLY bad taste in your mouth. If you are into sinister mind games, psychopaths, and senseless violence, by all means, THIS IS YOUR MOVIE. Otherwise...

Recommendation to Avoid.

On its own merits: 4 ½ stars

Because of the tasteless ending: 1 star

Rating:
Summary: Great film!
Review: I saw this movie about week ago and it was great. Everyone was perfect for their roles and the acting was very dramatic. Mehki Pheifer did an excellent job as Oden (Othello with a different name) and Josh Hartnett was the perfect jealous person. The plot and screenplay were great and had a lot of good twists. This was a great adaption of Othello, and the director did a good job of making the movie seem modern but yet still Shakesperian. I highly reccomend this film to anyone who likes Shakespeare and/ or dramatic movies.

Rating:
Summary: "O" - A major cinematic achievement
Review: I saw "O" at a special screening of the UrbanWorld Film Festival
in New York this past summer and it left a profound impact
upon me and others in the viewing audience. The movie received
an ovation at its conclusion. The cast was superb and featured
mesmerizing performances by the gifted young actors, Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, and Josh Hartnett. A new generation of
students will be "turned on" to Shakespeare by this dramatic
and spellbinding motion picture. I applaud Tim Blake Nelson's
vision and daring in placing Shakespeare's greatest tragedy
in an American southern highschool setting and, without using
Shakespeare's prose, achieves high dramatic and emotional
effect. See it!

Rating:
Summary: Realistic...
Review: I'm an aspiring music critic...I don't consider myself necessarily qualified to give an "educated critique" per se, but I feel compelled to comment nonetheless: I highly recommend this film...and look out for great performances - especially by Josh Hartnett, Mekhi Phifer, and Rain Phoenix (yes, Joaquin and the late River's younger sister)...

I thoroughly enjoyed this film because more than anything, I found it to be realistic; it took an unblinking look at the issues it dealt with, and I was all the more grateful. Bravo.

Rating:
Summary: One of the year's best.... but
Review: Okay, I confess. I never read Othello. I really do promise I'll read it soon. <G> But I trust the people who say it's a good rendering.

So, why was this one of the year's best? It's a powerful story which try as you might to resist, draws you in and keeps you involved. The acting is wonderful and the feelings you experience on this roller coaster ride are strong and sometimes surprising.

Now last week, I broke my usual rules and watched a horror movie, Jeepers Creepers. (Shouldn't have broke the rules. But that's another review.) This movie was more horrifying, and it had a much more grotesque monster. Humans make much uglier, nastier monsters, don't they?

This is definitely worth the eight bucks. I can see why they held off releasing this film after the Columbine catastrophe. And I still hold some fear that this kind of movie could inspire some sad, sick kid to go out and hurt someone.

As a matter of fact, the reason I didn't give this five stars is because it has a negative character arc and I while I prefer happy endings but can live with others, I have to wonder what positive messages this story teaches. .

Mekhi Pheifer and Josh Hartnett play riveting, intense roles and Julia Stiles does a great job as Mekhi Pheifer's love object. She's the one good person in the story.

Well, off to read Othello.

Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the lukewarm reviews - see it.
Review: A convincing and emotional retelling of the Othello story. After seeing the film I reread the play, and was amazed at how closely the film follows the details of Shakespeare's plot. Of course "O" doesn't have Shakespeare's poetry, but in other respects, it's a fully convincing, emotionally gripping recreation of the story. People in the theater gasped as the plot played out, and were moved by Mekhi Phifer's performance, especially his anguished last words. This film got only lukewarm reviews, including a negative review in the NY Times. Don't believe them. Go see it.

Rating:
Summary: a reasonably good movie
Review: I just got back from seeing this movie. First of all, I'd like to say that I've never read "Othello" or seen the movie so I'm not going to try to compare this movie with the original. I only knew that "Othello" was an interracial love story. Now I know that it has a elaborate plot and that jealousy is the main theme.

Realism means a lot in pictures like this to give the viewer a sense of where the characters are. The film has reasonably good acting, but flunks miserably in giving the impression that this is actually taking place down south. Only some of the older actors seem to have southern accents and one of the students tries to sound southern but does a poor job. Most of the characters in the film sound like well-educated northerners. Even Mehki Phifer who plays Odin (the main character) sounds like he was raised in a Philidelpia suburb. At any rate, he definitely doesn't sound like he came from any kind of "hood" as he is supposed to portray. Odin speaks very good english and uses very little street slang.

Both Julia Stiles and Mekhi Phifer are terrific actors (with the exception of not being able to pull off southern accents) and will probably have many good things come their way.